\section{Future of NRAO}
\subsection{Response to the Senior Review}
The committee is heartened by the positive steps being taken by
NRAO in light of the results of the NSF Senior Review. Jim
Ulvestad is to be commended for his pro-active role in seeking
outside funding for the VLBA. In the same vein we also commend
Nicole Radziwill and the e2e people for their innovative approach
to grantsmanship.
NRAO's mission statement, of not only providing telescopes, but
also training scientists and engineers and promoting astronomy
to the public, is important to broadcast as it showcases the
breadth and depth of NRAO's role within the US astronomical community.
There was some question among the UC about whether the mision statement
was new, official, or widely publicized.
The UC notes that there is pressure from the NSF
to reduce non-ALMA operating budgets within NRAO.
We suggest that NRAO ask users for feedback on essential
vs. nonessential user support as one way to address
some of the shortfalls in operations that would come under
a flat budget profile.
The UC stresses that
the EVLA and SKA are of general interest as well (not just ALMA).
and ease of use applies to these facilities as well as to ALMA.
Ease of use for non-radio astronomers is key to the success of
ALMA, but also to the EVLA.
\subsection{New Initiatives/Outside Funding Sources}
The UC reiterates its commendation about the positive steps being
taken by various members of NRAO's staff to seek outside funding.
There was extensive discussion amongst members of the UC about
the impact of seeking outside funding sources, particularly
as it impacts observing time on telescopes. There seems to be
a tension between the Open Skies policy mandated by the government
and the impact of securing additional funding for operating
expenses. There was no clear consensus of the UC about what
level of resource commitment in terms of telescope time would
be detrimental to the telescope user base. The UC recommends that
NRAO keep the UC and the user community as a whole informed as
decisions about outside funding get made which impact observing
and access to telescopes.
Several members of the
UC noted that other organizations have a role designated specifically for
the purpose of identifying sources of outside funding. The UC
recommends that NRAO consider having a grants development person
to assist Jim's and Nicole's efforts in finding appropriate
funding lines.